nursery rhyme

noun

: a short rhyme for children that often tells a story

Examples of nursery rhyme in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
What stood out was the songs’ similarity to nursery rhymes. Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 1 Aug. 2025 And this predictability most closely resembled that of nursery rhymes. New Atlas, 1 Aug. 2025 Many families love the show for its colorful animation and nursery rhymes. Clea Haran, Parents, 24 July 2025 But unlike human nursery rhymes, the leopard seal tunes aren’t meant to soothe children to sleep. Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 1 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nursery rhyme

Word History

First Known Use

1807, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nursery rhyme was in 1807

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nursery rhyme.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nursery%20rhyme. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

nursery rhyme

noun
: a short rhyme for children that often tells a story

More from Merriam-Webster on nursery rhyme

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!